Do I have to work the day before a holiday?

Answered by Ricardo McCardle

As an expert, I can provide you with a detailed answer to your question about whether you have to work the day before a holiday.

In general, employers have the right to require non-exempt employees to work the day before a company holiday in order to be eligible for holiday pay. This is because holiday pay is typically considered an additional benefit for employees who are actively working for the company.

However, it’s important to note that many employers have policies in place that exempt employees who have already scheduled time off in advance from this requirement. This means that if you have requested and received approval for a day off before the holiday, you may not be required to work the day before in order to receive holiday pay.

It’s worth checking your company’s specific policies and any employment contracts or agreements you may have to determine if there are any exceptions to the general rule. Some companies may have more flexible policies that allow employees to take the day off before a holiday without impacting their eligibility for holiday pay.

In my personal experience, I have worked for companies that required employees to work the day before a holiday in order to receive holiday pay. However, if I had already scheduled time off in advance, the policy was not applied to me. This allowed me to enjoy my planned time off without having to work the day before the holiday.

To summarize, while employers are generally permitted to require non-exempt employees to work the day before a holiday to receive holiday pay, there are often exceptions for employees who have scheduled time off in advance. It’s important to review your company’s policies and any agreements you have in place to determine the specific requirements for holiday pay in your situation.